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Forget What You've Seen on Television
If your experience with robots consists of seeing "I, Robot" and "Short Circuit", forget about it. Seriously. While a certain type of roboticist may be interested in actually building people, the current technology is nowhere near Asimov-compliant. Many roboticists aren't even interested in making that kind of robot. Robotics covers everything from radio-controlled devices to industrial arms that perform repetetive tasks to completely independent machines that discern and react to their environment with no human intervention.
Appreciate What They Do
When your roboticist shows you their robot, don't expect to be introduced to Data from Star Trek Next Generation. You're much more likely to meet an erector set (every part of which may have been hand machined) or an assemblage of sheet metal or a small device with a computer attached to it. It depends on what kind of roboticist you have. Remember that creating a robot involves completing a painstaking series of tasks. Each task presents fabricating or programming difficulties. Some the tasks may never have been done successfully by anyone. Each step along the way to a robot that can, for example, recognize and put out a flame represents a whole lot of design, planning and execution. So, keep up on what step along the way to robot fireman your roboticist is currently on. That way, when they show you that they made a disembodied metal arm move up and down, you'll recognize it for the accomplishment that it is. This kind of awareness is the key to genuine appreciation, which is way better than the other kind.
Find out about Robots
You can find out what they're up to without much effort. The following resources should help. Imagine the fun of finally understanding what they're talking about!
Ask your Roboticist
Robots appeal to a very wide range of people. If you're talking to a roboticist, you might be talking to a super-practical electrical engineer who works for NASA. You might also be talking to an artist who loves to quote classic literature and has a gift for soldering. Or anything in between.
Ask your roboticist what their robot is supposed to do. Their first answer will be a stream of incomprehensible techno-babble. Don't be put off. When they run out of breath, ask again. Yes, but what does it do? Hang in there. Keep asking until they run out of big words and just answer the question. At that point, you'll hear about how they are trying to make it navigate an obstacle course or recognize the neighbors or take care of the dog or play soccer with other robots. You'll be stunned by the sophistication of the goals being set for the robots being built in your garage. You'll find out they are intended to have eyes, ears, motion sensors, proximity sensors, voices, hands and a lot of smarts. Most interesting, you'll probably find that your roboticist isn't aiming for the smooth silver humanoid robots from the movies. Instead, you may find an startlingly independent erector set rolling toward you loudly demanding that you let it write out and mail the check for the phone bill it thinks it sees in your hand.
Robots.net
If you need some conversation openers, wander through Robots.net. They collect current news articles and happenings in the robotics world. Robotics and artificial intelligence are making inroads in almost every industry and field. Point interesting articles out to your roboticist and ask them to explain what it's all about. You may have to get them to take it slow at first, but they'll love that you're interested and you'll probably enjoy the explanation. There's some really cool stuff happening out there!
Robots.net
Read Up
The Wikipedia includes a nice collection of information about Robots and Roboticists. They also include links you can follow to explore further.
Wikipedia - Robots
Wikipedia - Roboticists
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Acoustic Guitar
Antique Tractor Pulling
Autism
Barbecuing
Bed Dweller
Bellydancing
Chocolate
Flyfishing
Homebrewing
Military Scale Modeling
Roboticist
Woodworking
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Gift Ideas
Robotics spans many disciplines and so do roboticists. There are a lot of different ways to be into this hobby. In general, at one end of the scale are the mechanics - at the other end, the theorists. Mechanics are interested in the machinery of the robot. Theorists are interested in its intelligence. Your roboticist probably falls somewhere in between. They probably also team up now and again with someone whose interests complement theirs. In order to find out what they want, you need to find out what you've got.
Generally Useful Ideas
Amazon.com Gift Certificate
No matter what they do, they probably need another book about it.
Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable NiMH AA batteries and chargers are always in demand. If you know what kind your roboticist likes, get 'em. If not, gift certificates to WalMart, KMart and other Mart-like stores will do just fine.
Go Get It For Them
Nobody likes emergency parts runs. The last thing they want is to have to stop working on the robot to drive to the mall and hunt through Radio Shack because they just blew their last capacitor. Get them to write down the exact part number they want or give you one to take with you and go get the thing for them.
Upgrades
The robot parts are always shinier on the other side of the catalog. Whatever microcontroller they have, there's a better one and they want it. Now and then, when you catch them pining away for something, let them know it's okay to go ahead and get it. Getting something you need is fun. Getting something just because you want it is heaven!
Get Interested
They really want other people to be as interested in their robot as they are. Since robots are actually really interesting, that's not much of a hardship. Pay attention to what they're doing, designing and building. The more you know, the better roboticist sponsor you can be.
Kits
If your roboticist is young or new to the hobby, they may be interested in a kit. Kits are also good for the kind of roboticist who arrived at robotics via model-building. While they may start wanting to design their own robots, good kits will help an aspiring roboticist learn the skills they need to do so. Many model-builder types remain happy with kits for their entire robotics "career".
Lego Mindstorms
Lego MindStorms is a super entry point to robotics. It includes many of the same types of sensors that a "real" robot for have. You can program it without having to learn a programming language. Plus, if your roboticist wants more ideas and projects, the are plenty of Lego Mindstorms books to be had.
Lego Mindstorms Project and Idea Books
Vex Labs
Vex used to be carried by Radio Shack. While Radio Shack will no longer be carrying Vex, it is still available through Vex Labs itself. It's a popular system for students and hobbyists. It offers a nice range of sensors and assembly parts plus a nice programming interface. It's easy to get started with Vex, but it has enough power and flexibility to be enjoyable for a good long time. In short, it's accessible without being a toy.
Phidgets
If your roboticist already knows how to work with bits of metal and wheels, but wants to venture into the control aspects of robots, they might like Phidgets. Phidgets are easy to work with sensors, switches, servos, and such. They are a good low-cost way to start experimenting with how to make a robot do, respond and react.
Publications
Magazine subscriptions are a great long-term gift. The magazines below are all popular with roboticists and would likely be welcomed.
Circuitry and Test Equipment
If the robot is going to do anything, it needs circuitry. If they are building their own circuits, good test equipment is also a must. You may not know exactly what they need, but gift certificates to the places where they can get it are never a bad idea. If they don't have gift certificates (and a lot of them don't), request a catalog for your roboticist. Give it to them with a prepaid credit card, check or good old cash! Check your roboticists work area for receipts to where they like to shop. Your credit card bill may provide some clues too. If you can't find anything, ask them or try one of the suggestions below.
Mouser Electronics
Digi-Key
Jameco Electronics
Sensors
Sensors allow the robot to detect and respond to their environment in various ways. They are the robot's eyes, ears, fingers, skin and more. It's likely that your roboticist needs some kind of sensors. If you have ever heard the word "DARPA" pass their lips, they need a lot of sensors. The same advice as given above for circuitry applies here also.
Acroname Easier Robotics Gift Certificate
Heavy Metal
Not all robots are small or light. Some roboticists are making robot cars or battle bots or robots for demolition competition. At that point, you're not just talking solder anymore. You're looking at sheet metal and welding rod. Keep your ears open for what they need. This crowd is going to be looking for more industrial items. They may want welders, tanks, more electricity, more space. You may need to give up part of the garage or okay the purchase of workshop tools that are heavier than you might expect when you think "robot". The internet is not usually the answer for these items. In this case, your roboticist will be looking to the local sheet metal and welding supply houses. Generally, the best gift you can give them is permission, support and a whole lot of doing laundry.
No Metal
On the other hand, you may have a real theorist. It's likely you have one of these if you see a lot more computer than you do robot. These folks are much more interested in the way the robot "thinks" than the physical robot itself. Often, they build just enough of a robot to test their artificial intelligence attempts. Or they may get someone else to make the robot itself. They want books. They also want computer upgrades. So, if it seems like they are constantly buying more memory, more processor, more hard drive, it's because they are. These aren't the ones who want to build firefighters or climbers or wrestlers. This group is actually trying to build people. As in many cases, their needs are specific, but gift certificates are always the right size.
Amazon.com Gift Certificate
Newegg Gift Certificate
Events
They may not get out much, but when they do, they want to go where robots are. There are lots of events for robotics. Some are shows where they can go and see the latest innovations and gadgets and miracles. Others are competitions where they can participate or watch. Some are basically giant robotics jam sessions. In any case, it will probably be lots of fun.
Robots.net Event Listing
Robots.net keeps a good list of upcoming robot competitions and exhibitions with location and contact information.
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